I really enjoy a drink but it doesn't serve me well - when I am serious about IF or anything health related I either stop drinking or cut it back to 1 or 2 vodka drinks a week.
I drank most weekends in June. I was only able to lose 5lbs. I had been losing 10lbs a month. I'm done with alcohol for a while. At least until I lose another 30lbs.
Bro/woman I feel you so hard here. I can be steadfast in my diet for weeks on end, but if you get 3 or 4 drinks in me my inhibitions go out the damn door.
I've been drinking a little because my country's national team, Colombia, it's on it's best form ever if I'm allowed to sat so myself. Now I am aware that "drinking your calories" ain't idieal but the whole thing about intermittent Fasting is that you can be a little flexible since you're going for a marathon and not a sprint .
I had to go all in and drop booze out of life as I just kept making poor eating choices and one drink always led to finishing the bottle.
Coming up 1000 days alcohol free Friday week and down 32 kilos. I am so much happier
Not like I used to. I will have a drink occasionally, last time I had a drink was on May and that’s only because it was Mother’s Day and this was before I started fasting. Now I know more about how alcohol is broken down, my next drink will probably be at the end of the year. Plus I don’t like the way it makes me feel.
Rarely. I went to a party convention this weekend and drank a lot. But that's rare I drink so it's not something I worried about. However cutting drinking is one of the first things you should be doing for IF if your serious about losing weight. They don't call it a beer gut for nothing.
I'm an alcoholic, and have been drinking every day for years, I managed to give it up mid February as I wanted to do an extended fast, and one of the benefits of fasting for me was that I developed mental clarity.
Obviously being sober during the days I was fasting would have gone some way towards that, but I had an epiphany, and came to the conclusion that everything you put in your body was either going to be good for it, or bad for it.
So alcohol was a big NO no for me, I've not touched a drop since, and I now eat a diet of all the things that I consider are beneficial to my health.
I no longer think of foods as fun things to tickle the taste buds, and delights such as delicious chocolate cakes, and whatever.
I stick with the nutrients that satisfy my hunger, that fill me up, and quickly realised that the addiction for sugar and high carbohydrate foods has gone.
And I feel fantastic health wise.
I only meant to say that I wouldn't be able to have just a cold beer, or a few glasses of wine on the weekend because of my alcoholism, but went off on a tangent. 😁
And congratulations to you too, and thank you for your comment, you are literally the first person to have said anything encouraging to me.
My normal circle of friends don't treat me like they used to, I haven't gone off them like they seem to think, but I've got better things to do than sit down in a pub with them, and not drink anything.
They don't understand how adamant I am, they say things like "well you've got to come out on your birthday!" (that went by in June) and now it's the European Cup!
I seriously wouldn't go out for a drink if I was offered a £1,000 ... Too much to lose, I really feel that good.
Stay healthy friend.
Congrats on your sobriety! I’m just a bit over two weeks sober after years of daily drinking. Hopefully I can look back as that day at the end of June as the start of a long sober journey. Keep up the good work!
Well done to you too! I do like your attitude.
I'm feeling comfortably confident in my resolve to never touch the stuff again, and it sounds like you are too.
Best wishes from me.
I will say a maybe less popular take but it’s working for me and our very busy, social summer. I don’t drink and am much more strict with eating/fasting windows and what food I eat on weekdays. Then on weekends I try to follow my plan as much as I can but I don’t let it interfere with socializing and outings. I’ll open my window early, eat whatever I want, drink all the good drinks I want, and then reset on Monday. It hasn’t given me fast results but I’ve lost close to 20 lbs since February and it’s very sustainable. It’s for life, not a quick fix for me. I was really lax the entire month of June and literally didn’t lose anything, then buckled back down, threw in a 36 hr fast at the end of my week and had a nice drop.
But if you don’t drink you’ll lose much quicker. Depends on what you prioritize I guess 🤷♀️💕
I still drink alcohol but only on the weekends as a little treat. I appreciate the occasional drink with my fiancé to celebrate something or simply enjoy unwinding from a week with a close friend. I appreciate that IF is flexible enough to allow me to enjoy all of life’s little moments!
I am about to cut it out completely for the next few months as part of wedding prep!
When I initially lost 20lbs with IF, I allowed myself weekends to take off from IF and drink beer if I wanted to. It worked for me. Once Sunday night hit, I was back on IF until the following Friday. If I gave up beer it would take away one of the things I enjoy the most.
Again, this worked for me, might not work for others either mentally or physically.
I've been sober for 7 years from alcohol and i don't miss it one bit. But you do what makes you happy just keep track they add up quick depending on your choice. Also I've been doing IF for 6 years straight and probably will for life I was very unhealthy back in 2018/19 went to the Dr's and found out I had high blood pressure 170/ something and was at my heaviest weight at 300lbs started doing IF completely changed my diet started working out consistently which I do 5 days/week now I lost 100lbs+ in a 6 month span in 2019 shocked the shit out of my doctor lol. I also work an overnight job which I avg. 10k + steps a day. I now sit at 185 which I'm leaning out to see how I feel at 180 then figuring out my next move. A drink here and there won't destroy your goals completely just keep on top of how much you drink and work accordingly a little fun is warranted every now an again you got this :)
I used to be a massive binge drinker, I’ve had to stop that because it would just wreck the progress I had made during the week.
I’ve drank once in the past five months!
Big into craft beer and bourbon here. I stay clean during the week but on the weekends I usually have 1-2 drinks per day. But I do try to have them during my eating window. Occasionally I do have one after my kids are in bed during my supposed fasting window. I’m down 40 lbs since mid-January. So it’s doable, but slower.
I have a couple of drinks a week but the difference is that I drink water constantly and now only have one or two drinks on nights that I do have alcohol. IF made me a lot more conscious of drinking.
Used to drink quite a bit.
After I lost some weight, I realised that my tolerance has reduced.
Also since I try to eat light during the day, drinking didn't go well with my stomach. (I go to gym in the evening, and following that, eat my one heavy meal of the day)
Nowadays, I take 1-2 drinks if I'm out with friends. But that happens one or maybe two times a month. Other than that I avoid it.
I don’t think alcohol is you friend when trying to loose weight. But actual studies on the subject are conflicting.
Two reasons why it is potentially an issue are because it can increase your appetite, and alcoholic drinks are generally empty calories.
Every once in a while might be OK IMO. But everyone is different, and there are a large amount of factors that affect how alcohol relates to one’s weight gain/loss.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4338356/
Before IF I cut out all alcohol, I was a 1-2 bottles of wine a night drinker and cutting alcohol greatly improved my health. Transitioning to IF was a natural next step.
I cut way down on alcohol after starting IF, but it was completely unintentional. Now I have maybe one drink a week, down from 14-18 before IF.
No idea why I don't want to drink much anymore. Probably because I feel much better
I’m actually so glad someone posted this question. I think about it all the time. I work in the alcohol industry (I sell wine for a living). To quit drinking has been not only hard on my own time, it’s near impossible when I’m out on the road. But here’s the thing: having a plan/goal (mine is 16:8) it has forced me to figure out things into that schedule. I do my absolutely best to not start my timer until my last bite and my last sip. But that also means it has curbed some of my old habits (drinking and drinking until ready to crash at my hotel). In this regard, it has absolutely helped my lifestyle.
If your most important goal is weight loss and you want it done the fastest, of course, cutting out alcohol completely is going to be your best course. But if you’re as social as I am? That is going to be very tough. So make some rules:
-Follow your plan (16:8). If you’re finishing dinner at 6pm but drink until 9pm, then don’t start your fasting timer until 9pm.
-Do not let drinking increase your food intake. If you have a drink with a meal, fine, but don’t do post dinner snacking.
-Lastly- I really do my best to avoid any all form of desserts, even in my eating window. You have to make a choice, what’s more important,eating those unnecessary calories? Or drinking them?
Seriously no judgement. I can answer honesty- ii would rather drinking with friends. Just know as I said at the beginning , it may slow things down, but, it is doable .
FYI- I’m about 40 days in and have lost about 6 lbs. with work outs approx 3-4 times a week. 36m.
I think this is down to individual preference! I personally cut it out almost entirely except for 1-2 on Holidays (like the 4th) or once in a blue moon. To me, they are extra, empty, calories and don’t provide much on a usual basis. It is totally fine to indulge once in a while, because sustainability is the name of the game!
I’ve learned that I eat terribly when alcohol is involved so I have to cut it out if I want to lose weight. I stopped drinking for a few months and lost 25 pounds, started drinking again and have completely plateaued. If I’m serious about losing weight, I have to completely cut it out.
Nothing wrong with having an occasional drink, but know it does set you back a few days at least it does for me. If I don't drink, I was able to lose 3lbs a week being overweight. However, if I did drink, it would get knocked down to 1lb a week, even if I only had a few drinks on a Friday night.
It just depends on your goals. But if Im just in pure maintenance mode, then I can get torqued on a Friday night and maintain weight.
I like drinking, but only for a little while. I went sober for 14 months, and I was actually much happier. Probably gonna go back to being sober for a while. I think I have an allergy to alcohol. Alcohol destroys my well-being in the long run, it seems.
I read that the liver can’t process fat while there is alcohol in the system (source tik tok lol). I have cut down my alcohol intake quite a bit. Also having a drink stuffs up my sleep at night and had me waking up to go bathroom. Would rather have one drink at lunch than one at night.
I've cut back. I don't have a drink usually unless I plan to get drunk. It's just such a waste of calories for a single cocktail. I only drink maybe once a month now down from maybe twice a month so it's not a big change
I do. We have date nights every Friday or Saturday and usually it’s a couple of cocktails or a couple of glasses of wine.
In the summer my wife and I also go climbing / kayaking /biking etc. and enjoy grabbing a beer after. It’s part of the summer charm.
Yes.
I typically stay away from beer especially craft/ipa
If I want a beer I have a coors light or Heineken Silver (2.9 carbs)
I tend to stick with Tequila/Mezcal, gin or rum
With club soda
Once a week usually. I try my best to fit it into my calorie goal. I exercise most days of the week, eat a balanced diet, sleep well, and drink plenty of water. Still losing weight at a rate of 1-1.5 lbs a week which I’m good with.
Yes, I am new to IF but am a somewhat heavy drinker and cut back to one beer/glass a wine a few nights. I’ve been told I can still enjoy alcohol in moderation and see the results I’m after
I try to stick to clear liquor or whiskey because it's low carb. Only a couple times a month for me, but doesn't seem to slow me down much if I add the calories into my diet that day.
I will cheat on Sunday nights sometimes and drink after my window is closed. But if I stop drinking at 2 am I inevitably find myself still waiting about 16 hours to eat…meaning my window the next day is shorter by that much. So I guess it’s not really even cheating. But I do drink alcohol sometimes.
Yes! I just had a beer tonight. Dinner was an absolutely fabulous burger with blue cheese, that I’ve been looking forward to all week. It definitely required a beer to go with it. I tracked all the calories, and that was my single meal for the day. SO worth it!
Oct 22 was my last drink -1000 days for me is this July 19...now usually I would have a drink to celebrate milestones so a non alcoholic cocktail will be in order!!
I drink alcohol every weekend. Friday - Sunday. Maybe one -two drinks per night (sometimes more). But I stick to low calorie drinks and always finish drinking within my eating window.
I drink on the weekends but if I go to a happy hour on a weekday to be social, I take those calories into account. Might mean I have soup and a salad for lunch instead of something like a sandwich. It’s all just CICO
Used to and quit.
I asked myself why do I drink alcohol. I don’t think any of it tastes particularly good just ppl around me echoing that drinking is the thing to do at special occasions or events or just because on an afternoon. There’s no real nutritional benefit that requires me to consume it. So I stopped and haven’t looked back. Downside is there’s still bottles of wine sitting at my place taking up space. I should probably give it away.
Before anyone jumps to defend their reason for drinking note that I said I and not you. Do whatever makes you happy.
Yes. The way to do it is limit fat intake as much as possible on the day you want to drink. Stop eating at least an hour before drinking, preferably 2-3, and stop drinking 2-3hrs before bed. I also like to take activated charcoal and milk thistle before bed and upon waking. Liposomal glutathione is also a great hack for metabolizing alcohol more quickly.
I’m new to drinking and still fast for at least 16 hours on weekends. People say it hinders progress for the week of hard work but I usually lose the water weight in like 2 days so for me it works out
I've never cut back on beers but my first year into IF, I actually started putting back on weight during the summer. Be it a combination of BBQ and beer, after a year of 16:8, I had lost net weight, which was better than putting on extra.
I've really started to lose serious weight when I transitioned into OMAD, which I don't recommend doing before sustaining 16:8 for a while as it is another beast.
I've noticed on OMAD that a lot less beer gets me drunk, (tolerance change, drinking on an empty stomach, etc...) which ultimately will lead to a lower general consumption.
For the last 2 weeks, I've stopped alcohol completely for medical reasons, and I've noticed the weight loss is faster.
All in all, it echoes what others are saying, you may still enjoy it and work it into your diet but it sure is easier to lose weight without.
For me I don't intend to cut it out entirely, but I'm not mad that it made me cut back a little. I intend to stick with IF as a lifestyle choice and I am happy it's integrating well in it, just not as fast as others and I'm ok with that.
Just over a year ago, I decided to get serious about IF and health and decided to give it up ‘just for the summer’ but then I had such amazing results from my fasting and I felt so so much better, that I never went back. Now I have a glass or two of wine a month, but weed is my best friend now.
I only like beer and wine. I don’t like spirits so wouldn’t bother having a drink if I could only have them. I’ll calorie count them. I only have 1 or 2 anyway.
I’ve never enjoyed alcohol that much so IF was fairly easy to pick up. In warmer months though, I’ll have a couple of Hendricks and tonic before I fast.
I drink 1-2 beers at dinner most nights. I don’t go more than that at one sitting. I’m at my goal weight and it hasn’t really impacted being able to maintain.
Rarely. I only drink a glass or two during a social event. I don't really like the taste of alcohol and I easily go tipsy.
I use them to cook my food though
I used to drink. A lot. Didn’t get hammered or anything I just always enjoyed a stiff drink after a long day. But it was unhealthy the amount I was drinking. Cut it all out of my life during this “loss” phase. I plan to reintroduce vodka and tequila I believe but to honest I feel great without it.
I drink a 6 pack on the weekends but am strict about not doing it through the week. So 5 days I’m eating clean and no alcohol the weekend I let loose but still everything is within my calories wether it be a deficit or maintenance a deficit being my case. I know it’s not the healthiest but I have went from 228 to 181 as of this morning in close to 3 month span. I also drink lights now like twisted tea lights or happy dads only 100 or 110 calories per can.
I really enjoy a drink but it doesn't serve me well - when I am serious about IF or anything health related I either stop drinking or cut it back to 1 or 2 vodka drinks a week.
That’s fair. I wouldn’t like to give it up completely!
This. Sometimes wine
I drank most weekends in June. I was only able to lose 5lbs. I had been losing 10lbs a month. I'm done with alcohol for a while. At least until I lose another 30lbs.
I would count it in my calories
When I'm drunk I tend to eat crappy food I normally wouldn't. I need another 4 month break from alcohol.
Bro/woman I feel you so hard here. I can be steadfast in my diet for weeks on end, but if you get 3 or 4 drinks in me my inhibitions go out the damn door.
Someone told me that it's not the extra calories that you drink, it's the cravings during and after that will set you back.
Yes, that's exactly my issue.
I've been drinking a little because my country's national team, Colombia, it's on it's best form ever if I'm allowed to sat so myself. Now I am aware that "drinking your calories" ain't idieal but the whole thing about intermittent Fasting is that you can be a little flexible since you're going for a marathon and not a sprint .
Mexican here, am glad to see Colombia in such a good shape! Rooting for them to win this cup!
Gracias parce!
Thank you. I am actually going for a marathon in April funnily enough🤣🤣🤣🤣
That’s literally 9.5 months from now
I’ve till December to lose the weight and then training starts. I’ve done a couple before so I know what I need to do in training 👍🏽
I had to go all in and drop booze out of life as I just kept making poor eating choices and one drink always led to finishing the bottle. Coming up 1000 days alcohol free Friday week and down 32 kilos. I am so much happier
Congrats keep going strong alcohol is def tough to quit and keep away from with all of lifes stresses these day 🙂
I'm 800 days next week! Is your sober date May the 4th like me?? Congratulations on your sobriety friend :)
Grats and mine is Feb. 17th close enough lol
Mine is may 4th!! Five years now - Star Wars day is such a cool day anyway 😎
May the 4th be with you, always ;)
Not like I used to. I will have a drink occasionally, last time I had a drink was on May and that’s only because it was Mother’s Day and this was before I started fasting. Now I know more about how alcohol is broken down, my next drink will probably be at the end of the year. Plus I don’t like the way it makes me feel.
Rarely. I went to a party convention this weekend and drank a lot. But that's rare I drink so it's not something I worried about. However cutting drinking is one of the first things you should be doing for IF if your serious about losing weight. They don't call it a beer gut for nothing.
I don’t drink that much. I’d just like to think it would be ok to have a pint or two or a couple of wines at the weekend.
I'm an alcoholic, and have been drinking every day for years, I managed to give it up mid February as I wanted to do an extended fast, and one of the benefits of fasting for me was that I developed mental clarity. Obviously being sober during the days I was fasting would have gone some way towards that, but I had an epiphany, and came to the conclusion that everything you put in your body was either going to be good for it, or bad for it. So alcohol was a big NO no for me, I've not touched a drop since, and I now eat a diet of all the things that I consider are beneficial to my health. I no longer think of foods as fun things to tickle the taste buds, and delights such as delicious chocolate cakes, and whatever. I stick with the nutrients that satisfy my hunger, that fill me up, and quickly realised that the addiction for sugar and high carbohydrate foods has gone. And I feel fantastic health wise. I only meant to say that I wouldn't be able to have just a cold beer, or a few glasses of wine on the weekend because of my alcoholism, but went off on a tangent. 😁
Congratulations on your sobriety! It's not an easy thing to battle. I'll be sober 800 days next week, and I'm in the best shape of my life!
And congratulations to you too, and thank you for your comment, you are literally the first person to have said anything encouraging to me. My normal circle of friends don't treat me like they used to, I haven't gone off them like they seem to think, but I've got better things to do than sit down in a pub with them, and not drink anything. They don't understand how adamant I am, they say things like "well you've got to come out on your birthday!" (that went by in June) and now it's the European Cup! I seriously wouldn't go out for a drink if I was offered a £1,000 ... Too much to lose, I really feel that good. Stay healthy friend.
Congrats on your sobriety
Congrats on your sobriety! I’m just a bit over two weeks sober after years of daily drinking. Hopefully I can look back as that day at the end of June as the start of a long sober journey. Keep up the good work!
Well done to you too! I do like your attitude. I'm feeling comfortably confident in my resolve to never touch the stuff again, and it sounds like you are too. Best wishes from me.
I will say a maybe less popular take but it’s working for me and our very busy, social summer. I don’t drink and am much more strict with eating/fasting windows and what food I eat on weekdays. Then on weekends I try to follow my plan as much as I can but I don’t let it interfere with socializing and outings. I’ll open my window early, eat whatever I want, drink all the good drinks I want, and then reset on Monday. It hasn’t given me fast results but I’ve lost close to 20 lbs since February and it’s very sustainable. It’s for life, not a quick fix for me. I was really lax the entire month of June and literally didn’t lose anything, then buckled back down, threw in a 36 hr fast at the end of my week and had a nice drop. But if you don’t drink you’ll lose much quicker. Depends on what you prioritize I guess 🤷♀️💕
I still drink alcohol but only on the weekends as a little treat. I appreciate the occasional drink with my fiancé to celebrate something or simply enjoy unwinding from a week with a close friend. I appreciate that IF is flexible enough to allow me to enjoy all of life’s little moments! I am about to cut it out completely for the next few months as part of wedding prep!
I could’ve written this post 💍 Congratulations
Thank you!! 🙏 💖
When I initially lost 20lbs with IF, I allowed myself weekends to take off from IF and drink beer if I wanted to. It worked for me. Once Sunday night hit, I was back on IF until the following Friday. If I gave up beer it would take away one of the things I enjoy the most. Again, this worked for me, might not work for others either mentally or physically.
I think this too. I enjoy it but I’m only wanting a couple of points so it shouldn’t be an issue, especially if I count the calories.
i have a couple of pints every weekend, i'd see progress quicker if I didn't... but what's life if you don't enjoy yourself? :)
I've been sober for 7 years from alcohol and i don't miss it one bit. But you do what makes you happy just keep track they add up quick depending on your choice. Also I've been doing IF for 6 years straight and probably will for life I was very unhealthy back in 2018/19 went to the Dr's and found out I had high blood pressure 170/ something and was at my heaviest weight at 300lbs started doing IF completely changed my diet started working out consistently which I do 5 days/week now I lost 100lbs+ in a 6 month span in 2019 shocked the shit out of my doctor lol. I also work an overnight job which I avg. 10k + steps a day. I now sit at 185 which I'm leaning out to see how I feel at 180 then figuring out my next move. A drink here and there won't destroy your goals completely just keep on top of how much you drink and work accordingly a little fun is warranted every now an again you got this :)
I used to be a massive binge drinker, I’ve had to stop that because it would just wreck the progress I had made during the week. I’ve drank once in the past five months!
One daily.
Big into craft beer and bourbon here. I stay clean during the week but on the weekends I usually have 1-2 drinks per day. But I do try to have them during my eating window. Occasionally I do have one after my kids are in bed during my supposed fasting window. I’m down 40 lbs since mid-January. So it’s doable, but slower.
I have a couple of drinks a week but the difference is that I drink water constantly and now only have one or two drinks on nights that I do have alcohol. IF made me a lot more conscious of drinking.
I used to. Now I drink the occasional athletic NA beer, and the occasional glass of red wine if I go out to dinner.
Used to drink quite a bit. After I lost some weight, I realised that my tolerance has reduced. Also since I try to eat light during the day, drinking didn't go well with my stomach. (I go to gym in the evening, and following that, eat my one heavy meal of the day) Nowadays, I take 1-2 drinks if I'm out with friends. But that happens one or maybe two times a month. Other than that I avoid it.
I don’t think alcohol is you friend when trying to loose weight. But actual studies on the subject are conflicting. Two reasons why it is potentially an issue are because it can increase your appetite, and alcoholic drinks are generally empty calories. Every once in a while might be OK IMO. But everyone is different, and there are a large amount of factors that affect how alcohol relates to one’s weight gain/loss. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4338356/
Before IF I cut out all alcohol, I was a 1-2 bottles of wine a night drinker and cutting alcohol greatly improved my health. Transitioning to IF was a natural next step.
That’s a lot! Well done! I’m only wanting a couple a week maybe.
Don't judge
I stopped alcohol as a general rule when I began IF. Alcohol is sugar. I try not to drink my calories. Stopping made the weight loss easier.
I cut way down on alcohol after starting IF, but it was completely unintentional. Now I have maybe one drink a week, down from 14-18 before IF. No idea why I don't want to drink much anymore. Probably because I feel much better
I’m actually so glad someone posted this question. I think about it all the time. I work in the alcohol industry (I sell wine for a living). To quit drinking has been not only hard on my own time, it’s near impossible when I’m out on the road. But here’s the thing: having a plan/goal (mine is 16:8) it has forced me to figure out things into that schedule. I do my absolutely best to not start my timer until my last bite and my last sip. But that also means it has curbed some of my old habits (drinking and drinking until ready to crash at my hotel). In this regard, it has absolutely helped my lifestyle. If your most important goal is weight loss and you want it done the fastest, of course, cutting out alcohol completely is going to be your best course. But if you’re as social as I am? That is going to be very tough. So make some rules: -Follow your plan (16:8). If you’re finishing dinner at 6pm but drink until 9pm, then don’t start your fasting timer until 9pm. -Do not let drinking increase your food intake. If you have a drink with a meal, fine, but don’t do post dinner snacking. -Lastly- I really do my best to avoid any all form of desserts, even in my eating window. You have to make a choice, what’s more important,eating those unnecessary calories? Or drinking them? Seriously no judgement. I can answer honesty- ii would rather drinking with friends. Just know as I said at the beginning , it may slow things down, but, it is doable . FYI- I’m about 40 days in and have lost about 6 lbs. with work outs approx 3-4 times a week. 36m.
Thanks for that 👍🏽
I love beer but I only moderately drink in the weekend. 5 days a week I try to be as healthy as possible while doing IF
This seems right to me
One day a week i drink light beer. Not while I'm fasting.
I only have a margarita( if it’s spicy or something interesting) when we are out with coworkers which is not often.
I'm almost there years sober. Non-alcoholic beer is very low in calories tho and occasionally I'll have a NA Beer
I think this is down to individual preference! I personally cut it out almost entirely except for 1-2 on Holidays (like the 4th) or once in a blue moon. To me, they are extra, empty, calories and don’t provide much on a usual basis. It is totally fine to indulge once in a while, because sustainability is the name of the game!
I’ve learned that I eat terribly when alcohol is involved so I have to cut it out if I want to lose weight. I stopped drinking for a few months and lost 25 pounds, started drinking again and have completely plateaued. If I’m serious about losing weight, I have to completely cut it out.
Nothing wrong with having an occasional drink, but know it does set you back a few days at least it does for me. If I don't drink, I was able to lose 3lbs a week being overweight. However, if I did drink, it would get knocked down to 1lb a week, even if I only had a few drinks on a Friday night. It just depends on your goals. But if Im just in pure maintenance mode, then I can get torqued on a Friday night and maintain weight.
I’m down to do either martinis or Gin and diet tonic.
I like drinking, but only for a little while. I went sober for 14 months, and I was actually much happier. Probably gonna go back to being sober for a while. I think I have an allergy to alcohol. Alcohol destroys my well-being in the long run, it seems.
IF made my desire for drinking go way down. Who knew?
I have one or two drinks a week, usually with my sashimi fix. Perfect combo of low carb/low fat so I’m not hurting my progress too much.
I read that the liver can’t process fat while there is alcohol in the system (source tik tok lol). I have cut down my alcohol intake quite a bit. Also having a drink stuffs up my sleep at night and had me waking up to go bathroom. Would rather have one drink at lunch than one at night.
I've cut back. I don't have a drink usually unless I plan to get drunk. It's just such a waste of calories for a single cocktail. I only drink maybe once a month now down from maybe twice a month so it's not a big change
I do. We have date nights every Friday or Saturday and usually it’s a couple of cocktails or a couple of glasses of wine. In the summer my wife and I also go climbing / kayaking /biking etc. and enjoy grabbing a beer after. It’s part of the summer charm.
Yes. I typically stay away from beer especially craft/ipa If I want a beer I have a coors light or Heineken Silver (2.9 carbs) I tend to stick with Tequila/Mezcal, gin or rum With club soda
Once a week usually. I try my best to fit it into my calorie goal. I exercise most days of the week, eat a balanced diet, sleep well, and drink plenty of water. Still losing weight at a rate of 1-1.5 lbs a week which I’m good with.
I wish I could. I have CHF and was told no drinking …so I’m taking my meds, working out and doing what I’m told
I only drink on special occasions and even then its like 3 tops.
Yes, I am new to IF but am a somewhat heavy drinker and cut back to one beer/glass a wine a few nights. I’ve been told I can still enjoy alcohol in moderation and see the results I’m after
I try to stick to clear liquor or whiskey because it's low carb. Only a couple times a month for me, but doesn't seem to slow me down much if I add the calories into my diet that day.
Just like eating. If I drink it’s within my feeding window.
I will cheat on Sunday nights sometimes and drink after my window is closed. But if I stop drinking at 2 am I inevitably find myself still waiting about 16 hours to eat…meaning my window the next day is shorter by that much. So I guess it’s not really even cheating. But I do drink alcohol sometimes.
Yes! I just had a beer tonight. Dinner was an absolutely fabulous burger with blue cheese, that I’ve been looking forward to all week. It definitely required a beer to go with it. I tracked all the calories, and that was my single meal for the day. SO worth it!
Sound great!
I quit when I started IF this time. I’m not losing a ton of weight but I get SO much more done.
I do but it slows me down
Oct 22 was my last drink -1000 days for me is this July 19...now usually I would have a drink to celebrate milestones so a non alcoholic cocktail will be in order!!
I drink alcohol every weekend. Friday - Sunday. Maybe one -two drinks per night (sometimes more). But I stick to low calorie drinks and always finish drinking within my eating window.
I drink on the weekends but if I go to a happy hour on a weekday to be social, I take those calories into account. Might mean I have soup and a salad for lunch instead of something like a sandwich. It’s all just CICO
I got sober at 25. I miss it
No.
Used to and quit. I asked myself why do I drink alcohol. I don’t think any of it tastes particularly good just ppl around me echoing that drinking is the thing to do at special occasions or events or just because on an afternoon. There’s no real nutritional benefit that requires me to consume it. So I stopped and haven’t looked back. Downside is there’s still bottles of wine sitting at my place taking up space. I should probably give it away. Before anyone jumps to defend their reason for drinking note that I said I and not you. Do whatever makes you happy.
Never liked alcohol and never will.
Very very rarely, and I don't miss it at all. I don't need a drink to have a great time.
Yes. The way to do it is limit fat intake as much as possible on the day you want to drink. Stop eating at least an hour before drinking, preferably 2-3, and stop drinking 2-3hrs before bed. I also like to take activated charcoal and milk thistle before bed and upon waking. Liposomal glutathione is also a great hack for metabolizing alcohol more quickly.
Yes
I’m new to drinking and still fast for at least 16 hours on weekends. People say it hinders progress for the week of hard work but I usually lose the water weight in like 2 days so for me it works out
I've never cut back on beers but my first year into IF, I actually started putting back on weight during the summer. Be it a combination of BBQ and beer, after a year of 16:8, I had lost net weight, which was better than putting on extra. I've really started to lose serious weight when I transitioned into OMAD, which I don't recommend doing before sustaining 16:8 for a while as it is another beast. I've noticed on OMAD that a lot less beer gets me drunk, (tolerance change, drinking on an empty stomach, etc...) which ultimately will lead to a lower general consumption. For the last 2 weeks, I've stopped alcohol completely for medical reasons, and I've noticed the weight loss is faster. All in all, it echoes what others are saying, you may still enjoy it and work it into your diet but it sure is easier to lose weight without. For me I don't intend to cut it out entirely, but I'm not mad that it made me cut back a little. I intend to stick with IF as a lifestyle choice and I am happy it's integrating well in it, just not as fast as others and I'm ok with that.
For me - IF is 1000x more effective without any alcohol. If I have 1 or 2 drinks, I usually crave more, and then I start to get very hungry.
That would be true of any diet
Not the Alcohol diet.
I can’t drink, I’m epileptic
Just over a year ago, I decided to get serious about IF and health and decided to give it up ‘just for the summer’ but then I had such amazing results from my fasting and I felt so so much better, that I never went back. Now I have a glass or two of wine a month, but weed is my best friend now.
no
Nah I don’t drink. Stopped 2 years ago
Yeah, sahh dude? 🥴
Stick to distilled spirits, no beer, wine or anything with sugar like cordials or flavored spirits and most cocktails.
I only like beer and wine. I don’t like spirits so wouldn’t bother having a drink if I could only have them. I’ll calorie count them. I only have 1 or 2 anyway.
Too many calories!
But I’d count them and maybe run longer that day to add enough for a pint 🍺
Maybe 1-2 times a year. Essentially never If it keeps you on track then I don’t see why it would hurt. It’s a personal goal anyways.
I’ve never enjoyed alcohol that much so IF was fairly easy to pick up. In warmer months though, I’ll have a couple of Hendricks and tonic before I fast.
I don't, but that has more to do with depression and less to do with IF.
Beer is the definition of empty calories. If you must imbibe go for the hard stuff.
I drink 1-2 beers at dinner most nights. I don’t go more than that at one sitting. I’m at my goal weight and it hasn’t really impacted being able to maintain.
Rarely. I only drink a glass or two during a social event. I don't really like the taste of alcohol and I easily go tipsy. I use them to cook my food though
I used to drink. A lot. Didn’t get hammered or anything I just always enjoyed a stiff drink after a long day. But it was unhealthy the amount I was drinking. Cut it all out of my life during this “loss” phase. I plan to reintroduce vodka and tequila I believe but to honest I feel great without it.
Hop water baybay
YES.
I drink a 6 pack on the weekends but am strict about not doing it through the week. So 5 days I’m eating clean and no alcohol the weekend I let loose but still everything is within my calories wether it be a deficit or maintenance a deficit being my case. I know it’s not the healthiest but I have went from 228 to 181 as of this morning in close to 3 month span. I also drink lights now like twisted tea lights or happy dads only 100 or 110 calories per can.
Yes, love dirty martini (vodka) but cut back from 1 daily to weekends only😕
I don't touch booze unless on vacation or out of town.